Interesting topic in the news today.
Venture Capitalist Compares 'Progressive War On 1 Percent' To Nazi Anti-Semitism
Venture Capitalist Compares 'Progressive War On 1 Percent' To Nazi Anti-Semitism
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Are Progressives like Nazis?
- Thread starter Reverend Rick
- Start date
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
I think that, excepting cases of genocide, anyone invoking the holocaust to bolster their argument is an idiot.
I think the author of the article sums it well with this:
Thomas Perkins, one of the founders of venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers, was comparing taxes on the super rich to the slaughter of millions in the Holocaust.
I agree.
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Wow, I agree as well.
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
To be the Devil's advocate however, (personally when I see a debate and Hitler is invoked you lose) I have read threads in this forum where members have mentioned an uprising or revolt by force. I'm not so sure these folks are against putting the ultra rich heads on sticks.
It is not a matter of being for or against it, but rather of guessing whether it can be avoided.
If you mean the ultra rich will share the wealth, I don't advise holding your breath Luis. :no:
sandandfoam
Veteran Member
It seems to me that the ultra rich are waging economic war on the 99%.
Re-distribution of wealth (i.e. socialisation of losses)seems to be a great idea when it comes to paying off bond holders etc.
Re-distribution of wealth (i.e. socialisation of losses)seems to be a great idea when it comes to paying off bond holders etc.
But even a violent revolution isn't necessarily Nazi-esque. There is very little, outside of outright genocide, that should be described in that manner. When people like Mr. Perkins does it, it is in order to create emotional distress and is among the most despicable tactics one can engage in.
Huffington Post said:
I was thinking the same thing. There's a myth the uber rich are the cream of society risen to the top. They're not, but the myth persists because the rich have groupies like Ayn Rand.
I have a slight acquaintance with someone whose family name is a common synonym for "rich" in some countries. She strikes me as a kind, decent person, but no smarter than most people. What she does have, though, is access to advisers. When she makes an investment, it's usually because three to five people who are experts in that industry or investment have all advised her to invest in it. Naturally, she has a pretty good track record of wins to losses. But it's not, as Ayn Rand naively thought, that she and her family are superior people. It's that they have access to the best advice around.
Even so, a better analogy for that would be the French Revolution... but it doesn't serve their purposes as well because it doesn't have the same implications of the victims being blameless.
I agree, the French Revolution is a much better comparison. The only valid comparison to Nazi Germany that I can see is the outright hate for the successful. I'm not so sure many folks who hated the Jews back in the day hated them for many of their successes.
Myth? I'm not so sure. I'm in the top 5% and I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth. My creamy white skin, my height and rugged good looks enhanced my efforts, education and drive to be successful. I rose to the top Phil. I really don't believe many folks would have ever done what I did to get where I am even if given a chance. The thing is I admit if I was a short skinny black man or an ugly fat white woman, it might have not been possible.
I can't load your article, but I'll give you some ignorant commentary anyway.
- Nazis, like many other groups at times, will identify a foe to demonize for political gain.
While the foe is made responsible a specific problem, the campaign is about the foe rather than solving the problem. Whether this foe is the Jews, atheists, fundamentalists, the poor, the wealthy or creationists, the technique is the same.
- A comparison with Nazi pogroms (if any was made) would be inappropriate because most progressives aren't that extreme. But I have seen discussions of killing the wealthy in this forum. Blowhards though they be, I'm keep'n a wary eye on the left.
- Nazis, like many other groups at times, will identify a foe to demonize for political gain.
While the foe is made responsible a specific problem, the campaign is about the foe rather than solving the problem. Whether this foe is the Jews, atheists, fundamentalists, the poor, the wealthy or creationists, the technique is the same.
- A comparison with Nazi pogroms (if any was made) would be inappropriate because most progressives aren't that extreme. But I have seen discussions of killing the wealthy in this forum. Blowhards though they be, I'm keep'n a wary eye on the left.
I argue that talented & ambitious skinny black guys & unattractive women can succeed wildly,
but these strikes against them would reduce their numbers relative to the likes of an Adonis like
you. Our fate is not determined by any single personal asset or detriment, but talent & drive
are strongly associated with success.
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Anecdotes doth not in themselves maketh universal truths, Rick. But if you want anecdotes, then here's at least 24 or 36 summarized: I know a few people in the top 5% myself, and while I think they have many fine qualities, I'm not naive enough to believe they have many more fine qualities, or finer qualities, than any other demographic.
Alceste
Vagabond
It's not personal, Rick, just cause and effect. Historically, the consequence of a yawning chasm of wealth disparity and a political system set up to advance the fortunes of the wealthy at everyone else's expense has been revolution. Sometimes peaceful, sometimes violent. It's already happening all over the world, Rick. The Arab spring, the Ukraine, Thailand, even the food riots of 2007.
If it's any consolation, the vast majority of the death and injury of revolt is always suffered by the revolutionaries. The ruling class is better armed and controls the military and police forces.
Being aware of what's on the horizon is not the same as looking forward to it. I would much rather we stopped electing neo-liberal leaders with fascist inclinations and sorted out the issues that have put the world on the path to revolt.
Oh please Phil, are you saying a pigmy has the same opportunities as a 7 foot basketball player? Some folks have an IQ lower than my dog while a Mensa student is on equal footing? If you had to guess which child did better on a science or math test and one was Asian what would be your blind guess?
The cream does rise to the top many times, otherwise the NBA would consist of affluent short white guys. Now I'm not some supremacist, because I believe environment goes a long way to further opportunities as well as genes but to say we all are capable of being the next billionaire I have to cry B.S.
Equality is a wonderful thing but it is myth as well.
Alceste
Vagabond
It also makes him look like a big sucky baby having temper tantrum cuz mummy doesn't want to let him eat all of his Halloween candy at once.